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Sierra Leone

I've provided some supplemental information here if you are interested in learning more about the issue of conflict diamonds. Warning, some of the links contain material that may be disturbing to some viewers. Exploring all of these links therefore, is not mandatory. We will, as a class, discuss the questions listed below. If time permits, we will examine the wikipedia link and the official movie site in class.

Watch the following videos on the topic of conflict diamonds:
Story: Movie Sparks Debate over Diamond Trade, 12/04/06http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec06/diamonds_12-04.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1.What is a conflict diamond?


2. What is the movie Blood Diamond about?


3. According to human rights groups, are conflict diamonds still a problem today?


4. What actions did the World Diamond Council take before the movie's release?


5. Which country purchases the greatest amount of diamonds and which continent produces the most?


6. What is the Kimberley Process?


7. Why is it hard to determine how successful the Kimberley Process is?


8. What does the director of Blood Diamond hope the movie will do?


Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Do you think the movie will change the way consumers think about diamonds? Will it make some people stop buying diamond jewelry? Why or why not?
2. Who do you think is responsible for keeping conflict diamonds off the world market? Is it the industry, world organizations or governments? Why?
3. Do you think movie makers have a responsibility to be historically accurate, or are they just making entertainment? How might a director's concerns about plot, characters and dialogue conflict with complicated political and historical issues?
Resources:
Learn about the Kimberley Process:
Movie Sparks Debate:

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Comments

B McCauley said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
September 10, 2007 at 9:25 AM
Charles said…
Blood Diamond was a great movie, wow!
October 5, 2007 at 12:17 PM
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